Skip to content
Keep the Dark Flame Alive. Support the independent archive.
Donate
Shop Account

Archive

Culture or Region: Hindu and Indian traditions

Journal

Munda

Munda is an asura general in the Devi Mahatmya, paired with Chanda and slain by the fierce goddess Kali or…

Read entry
Journal

Rakshasas

Rakshasas are a broad class of powerful beings in Indian religious and literary traditions, especially the Ramayana and Mahabharata, associated…

Read entry
Journal

Rakshasis

Rakshasis are female rakshasas in Indian epic and regional traditions, ranging from predatory shape-shifters to queens, guardians, sisters, mothers and…

Read entry
Journal

Shankhasura

Shankhasura is a demon or asura of later Puranic and regional traditions associated with the conch, the ocean and in…

Read entry
Journal

Shurpanakha

Shurpanakha is a rakshasi of the Ramayana, sister of Ravana, Khara and other Lanka figures, whose encounter with Rama and…

Read entry
Journal

Subahu

Subahu is a rakshasa of the Ramayana who joins Maricha in attacking the sacrifice protected by the young Rama and…

Read entry
Journal

Tataka

Tataka is the powerful forest-dwelling rakshasi of the Ramayana whose defeat becomes one of Rama’s first acts of sacred kingship…

Read entry
Journal

Tripurasura

Tripurasura is the collective or singularized name for the asuric rulers of the three fortified cities destroyed by Shiva as…

Read entry
Journal

Vala

Vala is the Vedic adversarial power associated with the stone enclosure or cave in which cattle, wealth and the radiance…

Read entry
Journal

Vatapi

Vatapi is the asura of the famous tale in which he is transformed into food, consumed by unsuspecting guests and…

Read entry